Research progress of taxonomy and discrimination techniques of Oncomela-nia hupensis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Oncomelania hupensis which plays an important role in the transmission of schistosomiasis japonica is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum and carrying out studies on its subspecies differentiation and genetic variation will have an important significance for schistosomiasis control. In this paper the research progress of taxonomy and discrimination techniques of O. hupensis is reviewed at four levels namely the morphological level the cellular level the protein level and the DNA molecule level and DNA sequencing technology is considered as the ideal taxonomy and discrimination technique of O. hupensis and the future research emphasis.